I've lived in the Letterman House for a year and 1/2 now and it has its benefits and its problems.

Cons:
1) Front desk is not very friendly usually and is only open during business hours, so you have to get packages then or on the weekend between 11 am and 2 pm.
2) Elevator problems have been consistent - one is usually broken, but luckily there are two which means that one is usually working (only had both broken down a couple times)
3) Have been a few water problems where water had to be shut off during the day, however, usually notifications are given in advance.
4) Laundry room is kind of crappy. I usually don't have a problem getting a washer or dryer but they take quarters and sometimes are broken down (fairly old).
5) Ages of residents - 1/2 the residents should be in a retirement home and own their condos so are constantly annoyed at the undergraduate presence in the building, the other 1/2 are undergraduates and can be somewhat obnoxious (but not as bad as dorms or other buildings like the Statesman)
6) No parking. You have to lease a parking space at about $200/mo if you want to park here.
7) Call box only works if you have a land line - there is no speaker in the apartment so you have to pay about $18/mo and deal with solicitation calls to buzz people in. NO WAY to hook it up to your cell phone - I've tried everything.
8) Pricey - $1375 for efficiency - and I've seen as high as $1450, but still cheaper than the Statesman and other buildings in the area - BUT - very much worth it when compared to the crappy apartments like the President.

Pros:
1) Location is great for campus access, but about 4 blocks from nearest metros.
2) Building is usually quiet. Maybe it's just my floor but I hardly ever hear noise in the hallway, as opposed to the noise I hear from the Statesman constantly.
3) Pool - but it kind of sucks. Have only used it once in a year and 1/2. Really small and old and only open on the weekends in the summer.
4) Just renovated the carpet and wall paper in the building, giving the building a much needed face-lift.
5) Nice roof deck - beautiful for fire works and tanning in the summer.
6) Central heat/air - easy to control yourself when it is on either one. But sometimes turned on/off too early or late in the spring/fall.
7) Never once seen a bug, mouse, or anything living in the apartment.

I would recommend it for a grad student who wants something nice but is not willing to pay to live in the Statesman.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 01/13/2009
Do you still live there? I just saw a place there I'm thinking of moving into, but I'm afraid of hidden problems like roaches or bed bugs from other apartments (the other review mentioned roaches...). any suggestions?
From: evilkitty510	Date: 01/13/2009
I do still live here and probably will for another year and 1/2 until I'm done with my law degree. Honestly, I have only ever seen 2 small roaches in my apartment - both on the kitchen counter. I haven't noticed other problems. I may just be lucky and not have dirty neighbors but I think the apartment is fairly well maintained. Never heard of any bed bugs and I'm guessing I would have heard if there would have been a problem. Good luck!

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